Opening Video

The show opened with a video package highlighting the ten fighters of the 5 televised CBS fights for tonight.  It was a well-produced video but the nicknames, such as “Conviction” were somewhat lame.  Why is there no “Prince of Darkness” or “God of the Cage” in MMA? 

The Prudential Center looks like its “No Vacancy” but that could just be a production trick.  Gus Johnson, whom I have no clue who the hell he is, but is probably a CBS guy, is joined by Mauro Ranallo.

Frank Shamrock Video

A brief video highlighting his fights with Phil Baroni and Cung Le was played.  There was also good “training” footage shown.  I think it was a good idea to create video clips of them in sets resembling spartan gyms of them performing some sort of exercise to dispel naysaying claims that these are not trained athletes.   And Frank joins the commentary crew for the night.  Its good how they are building their brand by putting their main stars over. 

Mauro at this point makes a claim that MMA is “tailor-made for primetime.”   Gus namedrops Bruce Lee and declares that his dream of MMA has come true.  I wonder will Linda Lee ask for royalties for the name-drop. 

MMA Primer Video

Frank Shamrock explains Mixed Martial Arts with a training dummy in this awesome video for those who have never watched MMA before.  Truth be told, it resembles a CBS Saturday Morning kid’s show, which makes it even more awesome.  The basic strikes, clinching, takedowns, and various submissions including the Armbar and Rear Naked Choke are exhibited.  The choice for takedowns and throws shown were excellent from a Sambo student and Pro-Wrestling fan’s perspective.   When I asked my younger brother, who watched the rare MMA fight with me but  is interested in Martial Arts training, if he learned anything, he somnolently replied, “Yeah sure. I learned some stuff. 

At this point they debuted an awesome commercial for the upcoming Street Fighter IV game.  When I first saw some preview videos online I was not impressed.  In high definition this was beautiful.  If I owned a X-Box 360 or PlayStation 3, I would wait on a line to purchase this game.  I was probably wait on line in a Chinese arcade filled with gangsters to play it still like I did the legendary Street Fighter II.  I would not have used that corny rap song for the video though.  For those that did not know, Capcom was a sponsor for the late great PRIDE promotion and published their PlayStation 2 games in Japan. 

Thus far Burger King, Miller Light, Grand Theft Auto IV, and the new Incredible Hulk movie placed commercials for this first live primetime MMA show.  They are getting sponsors which is good for them. 

When I asked little brother, which fighters did he know of, he remarked casually, “Kimbo, Frank Shamrock, Randy Couture.”  When I asked Wanderlei Silva since we talked about him last week in terms of possibly doing some Muay Thai, he said, “I remember him by face.”  When I asked about my favorite MMA fighter during the Golden Age of MMA, Kazushi Sakuraba, he said, “Yeah, I know Sakuraba.” 

At this point I will stop recapping the videos since I do not reap them for my other show reviews and I did more enjoying them then writing about what was going on.  Most, if not all were done very well.  TNA should learn from them. 

Match One:  Brett “the Grim” Rogers (6-0) vs Jon “Man of Faith” Murphy (4-2)

Busta Rhymes~! accompanied Rogers to the ring.  My brother exclaimed, “This is like wrestling; it’s great. I was hoping the two guys would wrap like the two WWE guys.” Men on a Mission?  “No.  Current guys.” 

Holy shit.  The Man of Faith’s video highlighted him crushing an opponent with an amazing Backdrop Suplex.  He also got pyro.  I wondered why the Caucasian fighter got pyro only.  My brother theorized that it was because the other guy got BUSTA RHYMES.  Apparently, Murphy is the Eddie Guerrero of MMA conquering alcoholism and other inner demons.  He has an ankh tattooed on his right shoulder and a 3.9 GPA.  Could this guy be “Skull and Bones?” 

Jimmy Lennon Jr was the ring announcer for the night.  Renzo Gracie’s cousin Romulo Bittencourt of New Jersey (and also Giant Silva’s trainer), Eric Colon of NJ, and New York’s Doug Crosby were all judges for the night.  The referee for the first match was Dan Mirgliata.

Round One:  The match began with Murphy hitting a clean Right Straight.  Then Rogers got a clinch on Murphy and land some Knees to the abdomen.  He released and then hit an Uppercut.  Murphy was starting to get overwhelmed at this point.  Murphy is trapped in a Plum Clinch then and is kneed in the head.  He escapes and trades Hooks with Rogers.  However, Rogers counters with a devastating right Hook and follows through with a Right Backfist to end the match.   

Result:  Brett “the Grim” Rogers (R1 1:01 TKO) Jon “Man of Faith” Murphy via Right Hook

“It was boring.”  Nothing happened,” claimed my brother.  He is not a fan of the short brawls with flash KOs I guessed.  Then I warned him that was most of the night, and he probably began to lose interest then.  When Grim was asked about his win, he replied, “I dos work,” to regard that this is his livelihood now and he enjoys it. 

Rockstar did an interesting montage with fighters hyping their energy drink.  I thought it was cornball myself.  Despite being a fan of the 1980s, this video used too many camera tricks and came off like a bad mid-90s syndicated indy wrestling group’s videos.  But thats just my humble opinion. 

Match Two: “Smoking” Joey Villasenor (25-6) vs “The NY Bad Ass” Phil Baroni (10-9)

Round One:  Baroni entered with the ring card girls stripping him.  As the match started my brother yelled, “I’m falling asleep.”  Baroni began the match punching first.  Villasenor tried a High Roundhouse but Baroni caught it sending Villasenor down.  Baroni seemed comfortable Ground and Pounding Smoking but decided to stand up.  Villasenor hit some hard Left Hooks and stuns Mr.  Wrong Island (that’s what NYC folks call our self-professed “Strong Island” suburban neighbors).  Baloney attempts to Shoot in on Joey and is Sprawled and put into a Standing Guillotine Choke.  This however, as revealed later was sort of like a “Rest Hold” to save energy while sapping Baroni and hitting him with some knees.  Two Short Left Hooks later after Phil Taco was released from the Guillotine and the supposed Bad Ass is out. 

Result:  “Smoking” Joey Villasenor (R1 1:11 TKO) “The NY Bad Ass” Phil Baroni via Short Left Hook   

After the match the Baroni family seemed to have booed vociferously for Joey, who responded that all he wanted to do then was grab a beer and watch the Middleweight Title match between Robbie Lawler and Scott Smith. 

There seems to be more card girl dance numbers on this show than some PRIDE shows. 

Prefight Interview

A female CBS announcer interviewed Gina “Conviction” Carano.  She should just use her American Gladiator nickname of “Crush” as it sounds much better.  In this interview, it was noted that her father, Glenn Carano was a Dallas Cowboy.  She should have mentioned he was in the Nevada state Athletic Commission.  Wearing a Red Alert t-shirt (as she shall soon star in the next game in the series), she thanked Addonai, the Abrahamic god again to close out her 1980s face promo. 

Kaitlin came out first to a generic Pro-Wrestling Power Ballad theme.  She should have won on that account.  She is quite cute.  Carano comes out to a really good pop despite not making weight, and slaps the hands of the fans in 80s babyface fashion. Since she didn’t make weight, despite looking great, I still wanted to chant, “PIGGY,” despite my hatred for Anorexia which, may have stricken my cousin.  My brother remarked, “She’s alright looking.”

Match Three:  Kaitlin Young (4-1) vs Gina “Conviction” Carano (5-0)    

Round One: Crush began with an attempted Push Kick, which was blocked by Kaitlin.  Kaitlin attempts a High Kick and Crush catches it and throws her down.   Kaitlin closes Guard in response and they stand back up after a few moments.  Crush hits a hard Right Hook and then a successful Push Kick to the body.  Kaitlin tires a High Roundhouse but is caught and maintains her balance.  Kaitlin then Shoots a takedown but Carano pulls Open Guard and uses a Gogoplata as a hold to suck air and points from Kaitlin.  After she releases and hits an Up-Kick, Kaitlin lands a Diving Punch.  Crush stands and delivers a hard Body Roundhouse and then a Right Hook.  I would give it 10-9 Carano.  

Round Two: Kaitlin attempts a Roundhouse but it does not completely connect.  Then they traded flurries.  Kaitlin captures Crush in a Plum Clinch and hits a Knee to the body.  Carano escapes and hits a 1-2-3 Combo with her furious fists.  Kaitlin hits a Low Roundhouse Kick but has her slow Spin Kick countered with a Jab.  Kaitlin throws a hard Hook and then cinches Carano with more Plum Clinch Knees and releases with two Hooks.  Carano hits two Push Kicks to the body with the second knocking down Kaitlin into the side of the cage.  Carano gets the back of the stunned Kaitlin and attempts a Rear Naked Choke.  The round ended with a big welt and cuts all over Kaitlin’s face.  This stopped the fight.

Result: Gina “Conviction” Carano (R2 TKO Ref Stoppage) Kaitlin Young 

When Gus asked about why she didn’t make weight again, Gina used the “Gladiator Training Regiment” excuse I theorized on my Combat Hooligans (C) predictions.  Gina swore that she is serious about fighting despite her Hollywood ambitions.  Gina thanks YHWH again.  I am still waiting for an MMA fighter to thank Lucifer Morningstar.

Prefight Interview

Female CBS interviewer was in the back with Kimbo getting him to hype his fight. He said, he was “Locked and Loaded” and “ready for battle.” 

The prefight videos for Lawler and Smith’s upcoming match were great.  Smith explained that as a steel mill worker he was tempering his arms as he was tempering the steel.  Dan Mirgliata is once again the referee.

Match Four:  EliteXC Middleweight Championship Match – Scott “Hands of Steel” Smith vs “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler (champ)

Round One:  Mr.  Smith hit two blocked High Roundhouses to start the match.  And so continues the same pace for a majority of the first round where they feel each other out and block kicks causing the fans to BOO vociferously ~!  The pace quickened after Lawler hit two Rights, an Inside Low Cut Kick, and a Left-Right Combo throughout the middle minutes of the match.  Smith then connects with a High roundhouse and the fight is really on~!  Lawler throws a connecting Hook and Smith hits a Roundhouse Knee to the body.  Lawler fired back with two Hooks and a blocked Roundhouse to the Body.  Lawler then got in a Body shot followed by two Roundhouse Liver Kicks.  Smith was stunned and Lawler ended the round with a fury composed of Hooks and a Flying Knee for good measure.  By the time the bell rung to conclude the round, Smith looked worse for wear.  10-9 for Lawler. 

Round Two:  Lawler begins connecting with a Low Cut Kick.  He then hits a Hook.  Lawler repeats the first round with a Roundhouse Liver Kick.  Undaunted, Smith connects with an Low Inside Cut Kick and another later.  Lawler fired back with a Lead Jab, Hook, Uppercut combo.  Smith moved forth and caught Lawler in a Plum Clinch with two Knees, an Uppercut, an Elbow, a Hook, and another Uppercut.  Lawler escaped as Smith got his groove on trapping him in a Frye Clinch (C) of his own and connect with Hooks, Body Shots, and a Body Left Hook before releasing.  Now this is a fight on my block!!  Smith gets another Plum and delivers an uppercut this time.  Lawler answers with an Elbow.  Smith retorts with a Plum Upward Elbow and releases with a (Straight) Elbow and a Jab.  Lawler goes on with an Uppercut, an Elbow, followed by a hook and an Elbow.  Smith returns with a Body Shot.  Lawler answers with a Frye Clinch Uppercut.  Smith answers his answer with an Upward Elbow.  This opens a cut on Lawler’s forehead.  This fight is very good at this point.  The fight so far is 19-Up tie for both.  Smith’s corner man tells him to set up for the Head Kick during the rest period. 

Round Three:  Scott opens with a Low Cut Kick and then a Straight.  Lawler uses Jabs to measure the distance and slow down the pace.  Smith hit a Body Shoot and then a Hook and an Uppercut.  Lawler throws two elbows followed by an Uppercut and then a Left Jab.  A brief pause later, Lawler feigns a Hook and Shoots in but its Sprawled by Smith but exchanges Go Behinds with him until he gets the back.  He had to release though and when Smith started throwing Punches he accidentally Thumbed him and the match had to be paused to give him a five minute break to recover. 

The ring doctor during that time inspected Smith.  Apparently he said “I can’t see” twice when asked by her.  He later claims that he said “I cannot see. So give me my mandatory five minutes.”  This was bad for television, and it became worse when the referee had to stop the match and the crowd chanted, “BULLSHIT.”  Although it was declared a No Contest VP Gary Show gave them both their fight bonuses and both swore to entertain the fans again. 

This is my candidate for Fight of the Year despite the finish.  Although both men seemed to aim for the fences, it was actually a very technical fight displaying a range of striking, clinching, and grappling techniques, and sound strategy (well the first found for the latter at least).  I never liked Lawler and never heard of Smith, but afterwards I have a deep respect for both as combatants.  Thumbs Up.   

Result:  No Contest

 A number of great videos hyping the Kimbo-Colossus match plays.

Thompson came out first and got some boos.  I felt Kimbo’s entrance was lukewarm at best but he got resounding ops by the time announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr introduced him.  I really wonder what Thompson’s hand gestures mean.

Main Event:  “Kimbo Slice” vs James “Colossus” Thompson

 Round One: Thompson makes his infamous Dash but didn’t do anything with it.  Kimbo got him into a Plum Clinch and threw him with a Flying Mare from it.  Thompson got up and with a head of steam shot a Single-Leg Takedown causing Kimbo to Pull Closed Guard and sweep to stand back up.  Undaunted Thompson shot again and Kimbo Closed Guard again.  This time however, Thompson Passed Guard but Kimbo swept again.  When Thompson got Kimbo into a Double Underhook Clinch, Kimbo countered with Knees to the body. Thompson attempts to transition into a Standing Arm-Trap Guillotine Choke but Kimbo escapes posturing his head up.  Thompson throws a Jab and then a Low Cut Kick.  Kimbo shoots now and ends in Thompson’s Half-Guard.  Thompson stands it up but is caught in a Standing Crossface Hold until he slams Kimbo down from there.  He mounts Kimbo and transitions into a Crucifix position and attempts a Kimura.  Kimbo Scissor Sweeps him into Side Control and attempts a Kimura of his own.  I would give it 10-9 for Kimbo.           

Round Two:  Kimbo Sprawls Thompson’s Shoot and hits him with a Punch.  After being stunned with a Hook, Thompson makes a Shoot but it Sprawled again and this time put into a Guillotine Choke in Open Guard.  Thompson kicks off the mat to escape into Side but stands up.  Kimbo then hits many punches including a Left Hook, Uppercut, Left Straight, and Double Hooks.  Thompson tries to clinch and then Shoots but is countered with a DDT~!  Thompson escapes by posturing and gets a knee on one of Kimbo’s arms and hits him with small Elbows unanswered for 1 minute and 10 seconds almost.   The second half of the round and some parts previous made it look bad for Kimbo.  19-19 Up.

Round Three:  Thompson throws a Jab and is immediately counter by a Jab, a Right Overhand that ruptures his ear that was swollen before the match, and an Uppercut causing the referee to stop it.  The Colossus was furious and Palms the referee when he is being held back.  This causes the official to yell, “Keep your hands off my face.” It was 11:45 PM and even namedropping the state of New Jersey did not stop the fans from booing what they thought was a controversial result.  I am tired at this point.  I enjoyed this match until the final 4 minutes due to the constant action by both men, and especially due to the rudimentary ground work that I did not expect from Kimbo.  Thompson should be invited back and become a regular member of their Heavyweight Division. 

Result:  Kimbo Slice (R3 0:38 TKO) James “Colossus” Thompson via Right Uppercut

Overall I really enjoyed this show despite the short fights in the beginning.  The video production was great.  The pyro did not make it as low-rent as UFC and WEC shows. 

According to my mentor, Dave Meltzer, the ratings for this show were very good.  The main event did a 4.7 for the 11:00 PM – 11:30 PM, a feat that is usually accomplished by only Saturday Night Live; the segment which included the Lawler-Smith fight garnered a 3.7 as well (10:30-11:00 PM).  It was the top rated show for the 9:00-11:00 PM timeslots for the 18-34 age demographics, beating the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup Finals’ Fourth Game.  The final average ratings are expected to be in the 3.0-3.3 range.